Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity seek Indigenous-led social change-makers

The Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (AFSE) program has opened applications for its 2025 cohort. 

Each year, around 20 Fellows are selected from Australia, Aotearoa, and Pacific Island nations to join this prestigious program. Passionate leaders from Aotearoa dedicated to making a positive social impact are encouraged to apply.

This fellowship offers an invaluable platform for personal and professional growth, providing access to world-class resources, mentorship, and a global network of leaders committed to social equity. 

AFSE welcomes applications from individuals striving for Indigenous-led social change in any field, sector or community. For 2025, the program is particularly interested in applications focusing on Indigenous language and education, as well as land, water, environment, or climate-related issues. 

Established at the University of Melbourne, ASEF has partnered with Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland since it began. The fellowship covers study fees and also provides a study stipend for successful applicants.

University of Auckland values the programme highly for its crucial role in Indigenous leadership development. 

Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori Associate Professor Te Kawehau Hoskins (Ngāti Hau, Ngāpuhi), and Professor Melinda Webber  (Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whakaue) have been the University leads for the programme for more than six years, involved in module delivery and teaching, curriculum development and governance.

Te Kawehau Hoskins was appointed to the AFSE Advisory board last year and Melinda Webber has previously served on the board. 

As academic and institutional leads, Te Kawehau and Melinda bring significant expertise and scholarship in the fields of Indigenous – Māori education, Indigenous and Kaupapa Māori theory and practice and settler – Indigenous relations and Indigenisation practice. 

“Enacting social change based on Indigenous ways of thinking, doing and being offers more than critiques of existing problems; it offers real possibilities for productive transformational change across a range of contexts and settings,” says Associate Professor Hoskins.

During the foundation year, Fellows develop a social change project and complete a Masters qualification in Social Change Leadership through the University of Melbourne. 

After graduation, they join a lifelong, global network of Atlantic Fellows that share a common purpose: to advance fairer, healthier, more inclusive societies. AFSE is one of seven Atlantic Fellows programs internationally.

Currently, there are 105 AFSE Fellows, contributing to a global Atlantic Fellows community that includes 902 Fellows from over 80 countries. 

Applications are open until Monday 5 August, apply here